Sudanese military on Wednesday suspended ongoing talks with the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Saudi port city of Jeddah over a ceasefire and enabling humanitarian access, according to a Sudanese diplomatic source, reported Reuters.
The deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Army and the RSF began in the capital Khartoum and other areas on April 15.
The talks between the warring factions began in early May and resulted in a declaration of commitments to protecting civilians and two short-term ceasefire deals.
On Monday, the army and the RSF had agreed to extend a week-long ceasefire deal by five more days just before it was due to expire.
The truce was brokered and monitored by Saudi Arabia and the United States. Although both sides have violated the ceasefire deal it still allowed for providing aid to an estimated 2 million people.
The war has killed hundreds of people so far and forced over 1.4 million Sudanese to flee their homes, including over 350,000 people that have crossed the borders into neighboring countries.
According to the United Nations, more than half of Sudan’s population – or about 25 million people – is estimated to be in dire need of aid and protection.
In related news, on Tuesday, Lt Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Sudanese army chief, on Tuesday, warned the RSF that lethal force would be utilized if they failed to comply with his directives.
Addressing soldiers at the Seventh Infantry Division headquarters in Khartoum, Al-Burhan made his second appearance since the outbreak of fighting.
“The army has refrained from deploying its full lethal force thus far, but it may be compelled to employ it should the enemy persist in disregarding or failing to respond to the voice of reason,” al-Burhan declared.
He stressed that the armed forces would remain ready to fight until victory.
